I was the only girl among the heirs of the five great families. The other four were all my fiancés.

For the longest time, I thought I would choose one of them to spend the rest of my life with.

But everything changed when Charlie appeared.

That night at the bar, I saw it clearly—Easton, who had always been as cold and distant as the moon, kneeling at Charlie’s feet, kissing the back of her hand with obsessive devotion.

“In this life, I will only love you. Even if Debbie chooses me, I will still be with you. On her birthday, no matter whom she picks, we’ll all refuse—for your sake.”

The other three men circled around her as well, echoing his words.

Charlie’s eyes shimmered with tears of gratitude.

“If Miss Debbie ever finds out that her car accident on the day of the Design Gold Award happened because of me, I’m afraid she’ll blame you all...”

Easton gently wiped the tears from her face.

Connor, eager to prove himself, rushed to add, “She already has more than enough. It’s just a design award. You’re the one who truly needs it.”

My hand instinctively pressed against my chest.

Design had always been my dream. If I had won that award, I could have gone abroad to study design. But because Charlie wanted it, I was forced into that “accident.”

She was nothing more than the daughter of a servant, yet she had managed to win over all four of them.

I couldn’t understand where I had lost.

I felt as though I had fallen into an ice cellar.

At that moment, a drunken man suddenly stumbled up to Charlie. He grabbed her wrist tightly, refusing to let go. The others, afraid of hurting her, could only hover around anxiously, warning the drunk without daring to act.

That was when Easton’s gaze found me.

Without hesitation, he strode forward, seized my hand—and shoved me toward the drunkard.

“This woman is even prettier, and much wilder. If you want to play, take her instead!”

With that, he pulled Charlie away while the drunkard was distracted.

The other three followed right behind him. Not a single one of them cared about my safety.

I watched their silhouettes fade into the distance.

And at that moment, I finally understood—I had long since been erased from their hearts.

So perhaps it was time for me to leave too, and find someone who truly loved me.

But what puzzled me most was—why did they only regret it once they realized I no longer loved them?

——

“Debbie, your twentieth birthday is coming. It’s time for you to make your choice.”

On the other end of the line, my father’s stern voice rang out.

Having only just escaped that drunkard at the bar, I was still trembling.

Before I could respond, he continued, “I know you like Easton, but Kenji, Connor, and Hayden are all excellent choices as well. You may choose freely—after all, my daughter deserves the very best.”

His tone softened as he spoke, but my eyes instantly burned with unshed tears.

He didn’t know. He had no idea what they had just done to me.

I thought of the way they looked at me—gentle smiles on the surface, yet hiding their disgust underneath.

My breath hitched, and I drew in a steadying breath before answering firmly, “Dad, I want to choose Martin Addams.”

“What?” Dad’s voice rose in shock.

“Why would you choose Martin? He’s far too frivolous! I can’t entrust you to a man like him!”

His voice carried real concern.

“Our Sinclair family doesn’t need you to sacrifice yourself. Just choose the husband you love. Weren’t you always happiest trailing after Easton? Yes, he may be calculating, and you’ll need to guard yourself against him in the future—but even then, he’s far better than Martin.”

I lowered my eyes and gave a bitter smile.

Dad still saw them as the boys of our childhood. He didn’t know that everything had changed the moment Charlie stepped into their lives.

Once, the four of them had surrounded me, laughing and quarreling with me each day. But when Charlie arrived, she would linger silently in the corner, eyes shimmering with unshed tears—looking as if we were bullying her.

At first, Easton and the others ignored her act, and even warned me.

“Don’t be fooled. Women like her only look pitiful on the outside, but inside they’re full of poison.”

And I believed them.

Until that stormy night.

They had taken a call, their expressions darkening before they left me one by one. On a strange impulse, I followed—and what I saw shattered everything.

Easton was cradling Charlie in his arms, soaked and bedraggled, his eyes full of tenderness.

Meanwhile, Hayden and Connor stood to the side, their voices cold with disapproval.

“Debbie is getting worse. She knows Charlie likes us, but she keeps flaunting herself in front of her. She’s truly vicious.”

“If we weren’t afraid she’d lash out at Charlie once she learned the truth, we wouldn’t have kept pretending this long.”

And then Easton, with infinite gentleness, brushed away Charlie’s tears and murmured, “Don’t be afraid. Even if Debbie chooses me, I’ll reject her for you. None of us will ever agree to her proposal.”

At that moment, the truth struck me like lightning.

They had long since been captivated by Charlie’s tears. All that “affection” toward me had been nothing but a performance—to keep me from hurting her.

I broke down and wept, unable to bear it.

Days later, still heavy with grief, a friend dragged me to a bar.

And there, when danger struck, Easton shoved me into the arms of a drunken stranger—just to keep Charlie safe.

It was then, and only then, that I truly believed... I no longer had a place in their hearts.

Snapping back from my memories, I gripped the phone tightly and declared with resolve, “I’ve made up my mind. On my birthday in seven days, I will go abroad and marry Martin.”

Thinking of how Martin might react, I added, “You and Mom should go overseas first and arrange the ceremony. As for breaking off the engagements with the other four families, I’ll handle that myself.”

My decision was final.

There was a long silence on the other end of the line before Dad finally agreed.

Exhaling, I turned my thoughts toward the preparations for the banquet seven days away.

But just then, a sudden noise sounded at the door. My instincts screamed, and I ducked into hiding.

“Easton, are you sure it’s alright not to save Miss Debbie?”

Charlie’s timid voice broke the silence.

Hiding behind the curtains, I clearly saw the fleeting flash of triumph in her eyes.

Easton let out a cold laugh, his tone indifferent.

“She’s treated you terribly so many times. This is nothing more than a small punishment. Besides, her skin is thick enough—getting roughed up a little won’t kill her.”

Connor smirked and added disdainfully, “She has offended too many people. If something really happens to her, it’s her own karma. Charlie, you’re too kind. For someone as vicious as her, even death would be well deserved.”

My pupils contracted sharply.

Not only was I no longer in their hearts—they even hated me. They wanted me gone.

Pain twisted in my chest, and I bent over as if struck.

Charlie’s lips curved into a hidden smile, though her voice remained pitifully soft.

“No matter what, the young lady is still your fiancée. In seven days, she’ll officially marry one of you. For my sake, you pushed her toward that drunkard... I’m so touched, but I’m just the daughter of a servant...”

Her words faltered delicately, her lashes trembling.

“I’m just afraid... once she returns from the bar, she’ll retaliate against me. If it were only me, I wouldn’t mind. But what if she targets you instead, just because of me?”

Her eyes glistened with tears, full of fear and concern as she looked up at them.

The men melted instantly. They pulled her into their arms, their voices dripping with comfort.

“We won’t let Debbie hurt you again, don’t worry.”

“Everything she suffers is of her own making—it has nothing to do with you.”

Connor thumped his chest with conviction, his gaze was tender.

“The Sinclair family may be one of the five great clans, but they can’t withstand the combined might of the remaining four. If Debbie dares to lay a hand on you...” His tone darkened.

“...then we’ll destroy the Sinclair family first.”

Seeing the approving looks on their faces, my eyes widened in disbelief, unable to believe what I was hearing.

So it wasn’t just me—they even wanted to destroy the Sinclair family!

Easton stroked Charlie’s cheek with tenderness.

“I know what you’re worried about. But don’t be afraid. No matter whom Debbie chooses among us, the one we love will always be you. I’ll make all the arrangements. And if she doesn’t know her place—then she has only herself to blame.”

A ruthless glint flashed across his face.

My heart lurched, and in my panic I tugged too hard—the curtain swayed.

Their heads snapped toward me.

“Who’s there!”

All their eyes landed on me.

No longer able to hide, I stepped out slowly, my face was blank.

Their expressions shifted instantly. Old habits made them move toward me, as if they wanted to explain—but Charlie was faster.

Her gaze flickered with malice before she plastered on a mask of fear. She rushed toward me, voice quivering.

“Miss Debbie?! Why are you back so soon?”

Her eyes welled with tears.

“Miss, you’re not hurt, are you? Please don’t misunderstand—when Easton pulled you toward that drunkard, it was only because the situation was urgent. It should have been me who took the blow for you.”

Her voice broke as she sobbed.

“Don’t blame them... It’s all my fault. Let me apologize.”

Without waiting for my response, she lunged forward.

The window behind me wasn’t closed. Her sudden shove sent me reeling backward, my balance slipping.

“Ah!” Charlie screamed shrilly.

Instinctively, my eyes darted to Easton.

Once, before everything fell apart, he would have crossed the world to protect me before I even stumbled.

Now, without hesitation—he caught Charlie instead.

The others didn’t even glance at me. They crowded around her, voices filled with tenderness.

“Charlie, are you hurt? You’re too foolish—why would you beg on her behalf?”

“That’s right. Even if you had said nothing, she wouldn’t dare touch us.”

Not one of them noticed me clinging desperately to the window frame, fighting for my life.

Only when Charlie had basked in enough of their affection did she finally gesture toward me timidly, tears sparkling in her eyes.

“Easton, Connor... maybe you should save Miss Debbie. Otherwise, I’m afraid she’ll hold a grudge. If she ever went after my mother, what would I do?”

Her crystalline tears slid down her cheeks.

The men’s hearts ached at the sight.

Their gazes hardened, turning on me with fury.

“Debbie,” Easton barked first, “you know the situation was urgent! It was only a stopgap. Why are you lashing out at Charlie?”

Connor and Hayden followed, frowning deeply.

“Debbie, we know you’re not like this, but today you’ve gone too far. Apologize to Charlie—or don’t expect us to pull you up.”

I gave a hollow laugh. Did they think I still hoped for their rescue?

I clung on with bloodied fingers, inching upward with all my strength.

But just as I was about to climb back in, Easton’s hand clamped down on my wrist.

In disbelief, I met his eyes as he slowly, ruthlessly pried my fingers off the window ledge one by one.

“Easton! Are you insane?!”

I screamed, nails tearing against the wood, my hands raw and bleeding as I refused to let go.

But the man who once couldn’t bear to see even a scratch on me acted as though he saw nothing, coldly peeling my grip away.

His voice was calm, but his words were sharp like knives.

“Debbie, we spoiled you too much. That’s why you’ve become this vicious. It’s only the second floor—at worst you’ll break a few bones. If you won’t apologize, then take this as a lesson.”

Connor and the others came over.

Hayden hesitated, glancing at me with faint concern. “Maybe we should pull her up... Debbie is afraid of pain. If she falls, she’ll cry for days.”

Without batting an eyelid, Easton spat coldly, “She needs the pain to remember.”

Connor even stopped Charlie when she tried to intervene, gently comforting her as though she were the one about to fall.

At that moment, I knew—whether I apologized or not, they were going to let me fall.

I looked at them one last time, erasing every shred of feeling I had left.

Then I let go.

Perhaps even he hadn’t expected me to do such a thing.

When I slipped and fell, Easton’s expression froze into shock.

“Debbie!”

He couldn’t help but cry out my name.

In the final second before I lost consciousness, I saw all four of them rushing toward me in panic.

When I woke up again, I was already lying in a hospital bed.

Three of them—Connor, Kenji, and Hayden—stood guard at my side. The moment my eyes opened, their faces lit up with relief.

“Debbie!”

Connor reached toward me instinctively.

I flinched away.

His hand froze midair, his eyes clouded with confusion.

“Debbie, what’s wrong? I just wanted to check your injuries.”

As if realizing something, he rushed to explain, “Today... we lost our heads, that’s all.”

Hayden quickly chimed in, “Yes, none of us thought you’d actually let go.”

Kenji offered me a bowl of porridge.

Frowning, I took it, and noticed at once—it had long since gone cold.

Easton was nowhere to be seen. I didn’t need to ask. Of course, he was with Charlie.

Deep, I would have thrown a tantrum over that.

But now, I no longer care.

Lowering my gaze, I quietly drank the cold porridge.

“Debbie, I know you haven’t forgiven us yet,” Connor said anxiously. “Maybe right now you don’t even want to see us—but we’ll apologize.”

Kenji quickly added, “Yes! We’ll find a proper gift as an apology. You should just rest.”

Hayden lingered at my bedside, lips parting as if to say something, but held back.

I only nodded lightly, signaling they could leave.

Connor and Kenji left with smiles of relief.

Hayden called my name softly, but when I didn’t answer, he hesitated, then turned and walked out, glancing back again and again until the door closed.

Minutes later, my phone buzzed.

It was a message from Charlie.

I didn’t know when she had added my contact, but from the moment she began sending me photos, I understood: the four of them were already drifting toward her.

In the photos, Connor, Kenji, and Hayden surrounded Charlie. Their expressions were gentle and doting.

Connor offered her a towel with care.

Kenji animatedly told her a story, making her laugh.

Hayden, unable to join in, simply gazed at her with infatuated eyes.

And Easton—he never left her side, guarding her like a knight sworn to his lady.

All of it... all of it had once been mine.

I turned off my phone and began practicing how to get out of bed.

Every throb from my fractured leg reminded me: That life was over.

Those promises to protect me, never let me be hurt—were already broken, and nothing but dust.

Now, Easton and the others wouldn't hesitate to strike against me.

Two more days had passed. Easton never once came to my room.

Slowly, my heart began to calm down.

I booked a ticket to France, five days later, and started reviewing Sinclair Corporation’s overseas projects.

It was then that the four of them suddenly appeared in my hospital room.

I quickly locked my phone, but not before Easton’s sharp eyes caught a glimpse of the screen.

He frowned. “You haven't even recovered yet, and you’re already planning to run around? Don't you care about your health?”

At once, the other three rushed to defend me.

“Debbie knows her limits,” Connor coaxed. “If she wants to go out, then let her. We’ll take care of her.”

“Exactly,” Kenji nodded, looking at me with the same doting gaze I once knew so well.

Hayden even reached out, trying to take my hand.

They acted as though nothing had ever happened.

For a brief moment, watching their familiar expressions, I almost felt like I had fallen back into the past.

For over ten years, that had been our rhythm: I’d make some unreasonable demand or wild plan, Easton would scold me, the others would side with me, and in the end, Easton would give in, helpless but indulgent.

And I would laugh in triumph.

I once thought those days would last forever.

But then I thought of Charlie.

And the calmness returned to my eyes.

Easton noticed the change. His frown deepened, unease gnawing at him, as though something precious was slipping away.

Instinctively, he reached toward me—and just then his phone rang.

Without needing to ask, I knew it was Charlie.

He froze for just a heartbeat, then left without hesitation.

The other three rushed to cover for him, presenting me with “carefully chosen gifts of apology.”

I said nothing, and simply accepted them with a calm face.

The next day, I signed my own discharge papers.

The Sinclair family’s auction was to be held that evening. As the host, I couldn't run away.

Thankfully, when I had fallen, I’d angled my body well enough to avoid life-threatening injuries.

That night, I dressed to kill—a crimson custom gown that clung to every curve, making me striking and untouchable.

From afar, I saw Easton carefully escorting Charlie toward our seats.

Years ago, I built the Sinclair Auction House with my own hands. Back then, Easton and the others stood firmly by my side. At every auction, they were always there.

Because of that, I had set aside a special private area—our place. Filled with our favorite things, it was where we retreated whenever we needed to breathe.

I knew Easton had changed, but watching him so casually take Charlie into a space that had once belonged only to me—pain still lanced through my chest.

He noticed me stiffening, but showed no sign of caring.

The others gathered around, smiling obsequiously.

“Charlie wanted to take a look. We knew Debbie was the most generous, so we let her sit there.”

Their ingratiating smiles, Hayden’s hand reaching toward me—I subtly avoided him and simply nodded.

I didn’t want the four of them anymore.

Why would I care about that seat?

With that thought, I turned and walked away.

The three of them froze, stunned by my reaction, then exchanged uneasy glances before trailing after me.